Wolf Spider Identification & Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions About Wolf Spiders

What are wolf spiders?

Wolf spiders are large gray or brown hunting spiders. These big Texas spiders are typically quite hairy, which is partly where the name comes from. Wolf spiders don't weave traditional webs where they wait for flying or crawling prey to come to them. Instead, these spiders actively stalk their prey, ambushing it and often overpowering it with their long, strong legs.

Are wolf spiders dangerous?

While they are extremely dangerous to small insects, wolf spiders are not considered dangerous to people. Like all spiders, they are venomous, but their venom is not potent enough to cause significant distress in humans.

Typically, if you're bitten by a wolf spider, you will experience little worse than pain and swelling at the site of the bite. You may also experience itching afterward. However, unless you have an allergy to spider venom, you should not experience any medically significant symptoms.

Why do I have a wolf spider problem?

Wolf spiders are one of the most commonly encountered types of spiders in Texas. They typically wander into homes as they stalk their prey. This means finding a single wolf spider inside your home does not necessarily indicate that you have a wolf spider problem.

Most of the time, if you wind up with a breeding population of wolf spiders in your home, it is because you have another infestation that is attracting them. These spiders love to hunt crawling prey like cockroaches, centipedes, and silverfish. This means if you have an infestation of one of these or other crawling insects, you might start seeing a significant uptick in wolf spider activity inside your home.

Where will I find wolf spiders?

You will find wolf spiders hiding out in places where their favorite prey likes to hang out. This means you might find them inside cabinets or underneath appliances. They also love other dark, sheltered corners of your home. One of their favorite places to hide is inside your shoes because they are dark and enclosed. This means you should be careful putting your shoes on if you have a wolf spider infestation.

How do I get rid of wolf spiders?

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get rid of wolf spiders once you have an infestation of them. This is because wolf spiders, like all spider species, can reproduce very fast if there is a sufficient amount of prey to support their populations. These spiders can hatch hundreds of little spiderlings at a time, and all of them will take up residence in your house as long as there is food. 

This means the best thing you can do if you start seeing large numbers of wolf spiders in your home is to call the experts here at Gold Star Exterminators - Del Rio. We're Del Rio's premier spider professionals, and we can help you get rid of both your spider infestation and the prey that is drawing them inside.

How can I prevent wolf spiders in the future?

The best way to prevent all local spider species, including wolf spiders, is to prevent their prey from taking up residence in your home. To do this:

• Keep all your garbage covered at all times.
• Store all pantry foods in airtight containers.
• Declutter to reduce hiding spots for spiders and prey alike. 
• Clean frequently to eliminate insect attractants.
• Seal cracks and holes around your home's exterior to eliminate entryways. 
• Fix moisture problems like leaky pipes or poor drainage. 

If even these measures fail to repel spiders and their prey, then don't hesitate to call in the home pest control experts here at Gold Star Exterminators - Del Rio. We can ensure your home remains spider-free.